6 New England towns to visit in November

You can learn how Thanksgiving dinner was prepared in 1678, and more.

There’s no shortage of festive events across New England during the month of November, between the final harvest festivals and the beginning of the holiday season. Ahead, discover six New England towns worth visiting this month.

Apple season isn’t over yet. Nov. 2-4, experience the 24th Annual Franklin County Cider Days thanks to participating orchards Bear Meadow Farm Cidery in Ashfield, New Salem Preserves and Orchards in New Salem, and Wheel-View Farm in Shelburne. Visitors can take tours, opt for fresh (and hard) cider tastings and local cheese tastings, and participate in cider-making workshops. Still have room? Then head over to the apple pancake breakfast on Nov. 3 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Second Congregational Church in Greenfield.

There will be so much food on Nov. 4 at Wachusett Mountain. Grub from more than 20 local food trucks will include wood-fired pizza from Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza, barbecue from Binge BBQ, and gourmet dessert waffles from Zinnekan’s. And you’ll be able to wash it all down with regional and national craft beer from spots like Jack’s Abby in Framingham and Citizen Cider in Burlington, Vt. If you’re not feeling too loaded down, take a sky ride on the resort’s chairlifts to check out the fall foliage. First responders and members of the military get free admission.

If you’re the kind of person who likes checking items off your holiday shopping list early, head to Great Bay Community College on Nov. 10. You’ll be able to search for the perfect homemade gifts among the wares of more than 100 juried artists and craftspeople, everything from woodwork to clothing to art to pet stuff. Admission is $5, and children ages 14 and under are free. Everyone who buys a ticket is entered to win a cash door prize.

When you’re not touring the scenic Greenvale Vineyards on the Sakonnet River — which is just five miles north of downtown Newport, in case you want to head there later for dinner — you can enjoy wine tastings, the live jazz music of Dick Lupino, and even hop on a hay ride. If you want to continue touring vineyards throughout the weekend, just follow the Coastal Wine Trail.

Step back in time and learn how to prepare a colonial Thanksgiving meal at the Joshua Hempsted House, built in 1678. Guests will gather on Nov. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the historic New London home for a free program, during which they’ll get to watch as a cook prepares a meal over an open hearth, they’ll learn about colonial cooking traditions, and they’ll try out colonial cooking tools and gadgets. While you can’t eat the meal, light refreshments will be served. Hempsted Houses, comprised of the Joshua Hempsted House and the 1759 Nathaniel Hempsted House, are located inside Thames River Heritage Park.

Nov. 23 is the day after Thanksgiving. At Stratton Mountain Resort, that’s full-on Christmas season. Seriously: You can watch a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. and join in songs with carolers from Burr & Burton Academy Youth Choir between 5 and 8 p.m. The village shops, which include Burton, Mountain Sweets, and The Dashing Bear, will welcome guests with treats, raffles, and contests, and DJ Dread will spin tunes from the deck at Grizzly’s at the Base Lodge. The annual stroll also will kick off the new ski and ride season.